Staple driving machine



. 2,bss,922

July 13, 1937. R. a.

smrm DRIVING moans FFETERSON Filed Feb. 15, 1936' s Sheets-Sheet 1 Anoausvs.

y 3, 1937- R. E. PETERSON I 2,086,922

STAPLE DRIVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1936 s'snaew-snm z p aw.

BY AT-ToRNYs July 13, 1937.

R. E. PETERSON STAPLE DRIVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet "3 & IV/i...

Patented July 13, W37

ATES

PATENT OFFWE STAPLE DRIVING MACHINE Application February 15, 1936, Serial No. 64,015

26 Claims.

the following detailed description taken in connectlon with the accompanying drawings wherein satisfactory embodiments ofthe invention are shown. However it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention. one side wall being removed to show interior construction:

Fig. la is a view of the pawl looking from the lower right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a. front view of the machine the front cover plate being removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view looking down on the upper end of the machine. the top wall being omitted and parts including the staple guide bar, the follower and staple driver being omitted;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views taken at right angles to one another and showing the staple driver removed from the machine;

Figs. 6 and '7 are similar views showing a staple straightener slide;

Figs. 8 and 9 are similar views showing a. transfer means for the staples:

Fig. 9a is atransverse section substantially on the plane 0! line 90-90 of Figs. 1 and 10 a but on the scale oi Fig. 10;v

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view showing the position of staple manipulating parts in the normal position corresponding with Fig. 1;

Fig. ll-is a similar view showing the position of the parts after the operating lever 31 has been 0 compressed or raised to the dot and dash position of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 shows'the next position with the staple turning slide moving downwardly to turn the staple;' 7

Fig. 13 shows the position of the parts with the staple turned to the vertical position for driving;

Fig. 14 shows the next position with the staple transfer block retracted to permit driving of the staple which is in the raceway;

Fig. 15 shows the parts in the final position as the staple is driven and in the position they occupy when the handle 31 is shifted to its farthest position shown in dotted lines Fig. 1;

Fig. 16 shows the staple turning slide returned nearly to its uppermost or normal position and about to release the staple transfer block to permit it to move forward to carry the next staple under the slide to the position of Fig. 10;

Fig. 17 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modification;

Fig. 17a is a view of the pawl looking from the lower right of Fig. 1'7;

Fig. 1a is a detail view showing some of the.

parts of Fig. 17 in shifted positions; and

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing another modification.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and at first particularly to Figs. 1 through 15, the machine of the invention as here disclosed includes a housing ill comprising an elongated forward portion Ii and a laterally extending portion l2 projecting from the portion ll toward one end thereof and functioning as a hand grip when the machine is in use. Within the elongated or head portion ii and extending longitudinally thereof is a staple slide or guide bar iii comprising a trough shaped piece secured to the inner or rear wall of the housing portion ii and disposed with its open side facing outwardly.

The guide is adapted to have a strip of staples l4 slipped onto it from its outer or upper end, and the staples straddle the bar and are urged along it by means of a. follower l5 also straddling the bar and urged therealong by a spring i6 disposed about a rod I! on which the follower is slidably mounted. On the outer end of the rod ii is a small knurled hand piece It! i which has a detachable connection with an adi'acent portion of the housing as by a transverse pin lflav in the hand piece and bayonet slots lllb in the slide, whereby the rod and follower may be removed from the machine to permit of the insertion of a supply of the staples therein and may thereafter be reapplied.

Blidably arranged within the head ll at the forward side of the guide It! is a slide it adapted to be shifted longitudinally back and forth in a manner and for a purpose later to be described. Between this slide and the cover or forward wall fill of the head there is arranged the blade-like staple driver 2i mounted for reciprocating movement longitudinally of the housing in a raceway 22 and adopted on its downward or outward movement to drive a staple through such raceway. Spacer mates 2M help guide the slide it and provide clearance for the driver 2i. The driver at is carried by a head portion or block it including a pair of spaced arms 23 the distance between the outside surfaces of which is such that in its movements the head is guided by the side walls of the housing. Bearing plates 2611 may be secured to the side of this head block if desired. A connecting portion between the arms 25 has the driver 26 secured thereto in any suitable manner as by means oi the pin or rivet it.

From the lower end oi the housing there extends a fiat bill-lilze portion generally designated 21 and including a rear wall 28 which with the lower extending portion 29 of the cover plate 29 defines a continuation of the raceway 22. A

' wall 3i] extends across the lower end of the elongated housing portion ll closing all such end of such portion with the exception of the raceway. The staple bar guide it stops short of this wall, and located between the inner end of the guide and the wall til and slidable transversely with respect to the elongated housing is a block 3i comprising a staple cut-off and carrying' or transfer means.

As shown block. ill (Fig. 9) is provided with a recess 32 opening through its rear side and a coil spring 83 is arranged to enter this recess, having one end bearing against the inner end of the recess and having its other end bearing against the rear wall of the housing. This spring is constantly tending to force the block forwardly or toward the raceway. The spring is of such size that on the application of the proper force block 3i may be forced rearwardly to such an extent that the spring will be substantially entirely received within the recess 32 (see Figs. 14 and 15).

Block 3i includes a portion 3 3 of a width to be conveniently straddled by a staple it, and in the upper forward corner of such portion there is a notch d5 of a size to receive the crown or cross bar of a staple. The base portion of the block extends laterally to each side oi the portion (it, and the forward surfaces oi such laterally extending portions are inclined as at 56 to form cam surfaces. The height of the block fil is such that the block fills the space between the wall til and the inner end of the staple guide The handle lever 3i extends through a slot til in the lower wall of the lateral housing extenslon or hand grip l2 and is mounted on a pivot 39 carried by the side walls oi? said extension.

This handle includes a pair of spaced arms 10' (see Fig. 3) adapted during certain pivotal move- I ment of the handle to enter notches ll in the longitudinal edges of the slide is and to cause sliding movements to be imparted to such slide. In one longitudinal edge such slide is provided with a second notch 62 receiving a light bowed spring (3 (Fig. 2) bearing against a side wall of the elongated housing portion and thus setting up a friction whereby the slide is held against dropping of its own weight.

A second pivot M extending through the side wallsoi the housing extension i2 mounts a lever 45 comprising a'pair of side arms M connected at ti, and beyond saidconncction including a tori: comprising finger-like portions 48 entering recesses oil in the rear edges of the arms oi the driver head 23. Integral with the lever arms 46 are segments 50 each having a notch ill, and between such segments is pivotally mounted at 52a a pawl or dog 62 constantly influenced by a spring kill tending to turn it to the right or clocliwise as viewed in Fig. 1 whereby to normally keep a stop pin 66 carried by the pawl against the rear edges of the segments 50. This permits the pawl to swing in the opposite directlon.

Also mounted on the pivot A l between the segments Eitl is an arm 65 carrying a forwardly extending arcuate pin or bar 56 about which is disposed a strong coil spring 5i. The bar 56 extends between the plate portions or segments 50 and the spring 61 is of such a (llama er as to bridge the segments so that it presses against the portions Ellis of these segments. It will be "apparent that on the lever 35 being rocked in a direction to carry its segments till toward the arm til the spring ill will be compressed. The tension of the spring 5'! may be varied or regulated by adjusting the screw 59 to rock the arm about the pivot a l.

The handle Ell includes an arm 60 which when the parts are in their normal positions or in their positions of rest is in engagement with the free end of the pawl 52. Owing to this engagement, on movement of the handle 31 upwardly about its pivot 39 the lever arm t5 will be rocked about its pivot M in a direction to compress the spring El and at the same time through extensions 48 in recesses 49 shift the driver ill upwardly or inwardly with respect to the raceway.

To drive a staple with the machine the operator rocks the handle 31 from the full line posltion of Fig. 1 up through the dot and dash line position to the dotted line position of that ligure, and immediately after the time the handle reaches the dotted line position a staple has been driven by the spring El which has returned lever 415 to the full line position, and on the handle being released spring 58 returns it to the normal full line position raising plate E9 to normal position.

Figs. 10 through 16 show the successive positions of the driver 20, the slide i9 and the staple cutting off and transfer-means 3!. Assuming that these three parts are in the normal positions shown in Fig. 10 it will be noted that the driver 2| is occupying the lower portion of the raceway, that the slide i8 is in a raised or retracted position and that the staple cutting off block 3! is being held against the driver with the crown of a staple B5 in its notch 35.

A slot iii opens through the lower end of the slide l9 thus dividing such end of the slide into a pair of arms t2. At its outer end such slot is expanded laterally in each direction providing a pair of surfaces 63 just short of the lower end of the slide and leaving extensions 64a the rear lower corners of which are cut away or rounded as at El i. Therefore when the slide is located as in Fig. 10 the legs of the staple are under; the end surface portions 63 of the slide and the portions 64a of the slide laterally of and extending below such surfaces are at the outer sides of the staple legs.

To drive a staple the handle lever ii"! is pressed or squeezed in the direction 01' the housing extension or grip l2 and during initial movement of the bangle its arm 60 engaging the dog 52 sition it occupies before the slide ends M are forces the lever t upwardly about its pivot whereby the spring til is compressed, and owing to. the fact that the ends of the lever arms 48 are in the recesses d9 of the driver head the latter is drawn inwardly or upwardly as viewed in Fig. 1. After a predetermined movement of the handle the lever it is in the dotted line position of Fig. 1 and pawls til carried by the side walls of the housing enter the notches iii in the segment portions of the lever and lock or latch the lever in its retracted position with the spring 51 compressed. The described movement of the lever it carries or retracts the driver 2i so that its lower end is drawn inwardly or upwardly of the staple separating block 3! as shown in Fig. 11.

As the movement of the after the pawls Mi enter the notches 5i its arm 60 passes off the dog 5? so that further movement of the handle is independent of the lever t5. At about this time, or when the driver 2i reaches its upper position, the lever arms 4|] which are part of lever t'i enter the notches 41 in the edges of the slide it and start to slide said slide toward the block: iii. However just as soon as the driver was withdrawn from its position in front of the bloclr oi the spring 33 forced the block forwardly so that the crown of staples 65 has been carried into the raceway 22 beneath the driver 2! as shown in Fig. 11. Therefore as the slide it starts downward or in the direction of the block iii the legs 62 of the slide straddle the upper portion of the block and the end surface portions lid of the slide engage the legs of the staple starting to swing them downwardly as suggested by the dotted lines in Fig. 11 andas further shown in Fig. 12.

By the time the handle has moved the slide to the position of Fig. 13 the staple 65 is straight in the raceway and the rear corner portions of engaging the inclined surfaces 36 of the staple separating and transfer block 3i. Therefore on continued movement of the handle the slide is forced against the said inclined surfaces M with the result that the block BI is forced basis or rearwardly out of the raceway against the action of the spring 33 and to the position of Fig. it. It will be noted that the slideit is now in a position forming a part of the rear wall of the raceway and that the staple 65 is in the raceway. The slide iii helps to guide the staple until it reaches the lower part of the raceway or the extension 21.

Movement of the handle di continuing in the same direction after the block ti has been shifted to the position of Fig. 14 the arm 6t engages the bar 660; connecting pawls 6t and, against the action of the pawl springs ti, forces the pawls out or the notches iii thereby releasing the lever 45 for actuation by the spring iii. In Fig. 1 the bar We as shown in dot and dash lines is in the poarm 6% comes in contact with it. At this time the pawls tit are in the notches M in lever it and hold it in the dotted line position, but just before handle lever 31 and arm 60 reach the dotted. line position this arm engages bar tile, and as it moves to the dotted position it lifts pawls fit to the full line position shown and carries them out of notches iii to release lever til, permitting it to be shifted downwardly by spring M to the full line position shown. The lever 45 has two arms 46 and two segments 50 as shown in Fig. 3 and so preferably has two notches 5i, one in each segment. There are therefore two pawls fit which are connected handle ill continues vits pivot 52:; to permit by a crossbar tda so that the two pawls are in one piece, or in other words it is a double pawl with two holding lugs or hooks to enter the notches 5|. Such spring operates to drive the driver 2| outwardly or downwardly through the raceway, thus driving the staple 65 that had been positioned therein. When the driver reaches the end of the staple driving stroke the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 15 where it will be noted that the staple has been driven into the corner at the juncture of the surfaces 68 and 69 of the piece iii.

It is noted that in Fig. 15 the staple separating and transfer block 311 is in retracted position but that the lowermost or innermost staple of the strip 13 has its crown in the notch 35 of this block. After the staple is driven the handle 31 is released and the spring 5% acting on the lever at the connection between the arms it returns the handle to normal position. During this return movement dog 52 yields to the right about arm 80 of lever 31 to pass. As the spring draws the handle to normal position the arms til draw the slide i!) to. its normal position in which it is shown in Fig. 16 where the block ti is ready to move over against the driver Hi. The spring 33 immediately moves the block over against the driver carrying the next lower staple i la on the strip It with it and the parts will be in the positions of Fig. ready for the next staple driving operation. At all times the block ti is so located as to prevent the staple strip it from being forced off the guide bar. Lugs or projections Ii (Figs. 1, 2, and 10 to 16) carried by the side walls of the housing are located at the sides of the separating block 3! in positions beneath the legs of the staples on the guide bar, and such lugs serve to support the legs or the lower staple in a horizontal position until the feed block ti and slide it are in proper relation to each other to permit the swinging of the staple to a vertical position below the driver. With these lugs in place the staples must stay in position with their legs transverse with respect to the raceway until the staples are carrled forward by the block and straightened by the slide it. v

When using the machine the end of its bill-like portion 2i is placed against the object into which the staple is to be driven, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 15, and then the handle Bl is pressed in the direction of the housing extension i2. This causes operation of the slide it and the driver 2i. This machine may be used for driving staples in locations inaccessible to the ordinary machines. Thus for example the lower elongated portion ii of the housing may be inserted through a hole or slot or the like so as to drive a staple in a comparatively inaccessible place. Further owing to the hat bill-like part 21 a staple may be driven in a close corner as in Figs. 1 and 15.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 17 and 18 a housing generally designated I2 is shown as including the elongated iorward portion ii and a lateral extension or grip l3 functioning substan-.- tially the same as the lateral extension 12 of the housing of Fig. 1. The mechanism in this portion II is the same as that in Figs. 1 to 16. Within the extension it and mounted on a pivot M is a lever including two arms I6 and segments 11 the latter being provided with notches l8, and pivotally mounting a dog '18 between the segments yieldingly held with its stop pin 80 against the rear edges or the segments by means of a spring Bl. The forward end portions B2 of the arms 16 enter the recesses 09 in the arms 20 oi the driving head 23. The lever 115 also includes a rear extension 00 engaged on its upper side by a cushioning spring 84 and on its lower side by heavy spring 85 which imparts the driving stroke to the driver 2| as will later appear.

An arm or lever 86 within the housing portion 73 is pivoted intermediate its ends as at ill and includes a pair of end portions 09 adapted to enter the notches ii in the edges of the straightening slide I9 for manipulation of the latter. The other end portion 89 of arm 00 is normally in engagement with the dog I9. A handle 90 is pivoted at 9| and a, spring 92 tends to keep the handle in the normal full line position shown. Pivoted at its respective ends to the arm 06 and the handle 90 is a link 93. A pawl 9G is pressed against the segments 'I'I by a spring 95, and on the lever I being roclred upwardly about its pivot the pawl engages in the notches "ill to latch the lever in its raised position.

To drive a staple with a machine embodying the modified construction the handle 90 is squeezed or pressed toward the housing extension or grip l3 and owing to the connection made by the link 93 such movement of the handle causes the arm or lever 00 to be rocked about its pivot and the end portion 09 of said arm being in engagement with the dog I0 causes the lever I5 to be swung upwardly resulting in compression of the spring 85. When the lever reaches the dotted line position of Fig. 17, which is the full line position of Fig. 18, the lugs or hooks of pawl means 94 enter the notches l0 latching the lever in this position. Fig. 18 shows the lugs of the pawl just after being withdrawn from these notches as will later be described. The two pawls are connected or bridged by the crossbar 90a.

At about this time the portion 09 of the arm 86 leaves the dog 18 and the portions 88 of such arm enter the notches ii in the staple straightening slide I9. Continued movement of the handle 90 in the same direction results in the slide I9 being operated as described when considering the first figures of the drawings, and as such slide is moved into its final position (Fig. 14) the arm portion 89 engages the crossbar 90a, of the pawl 94 forcing it out of the notches 78. This releases the lever I5 and the spring 05 immediately and violently actuates the lever iii to impart a staple driving stroke to the driver 21. This brings lever "I5 back to its normal position, while spring 04 cushions the end of the movement of the lever I5 under action oi spring 85. Thereafter on handle 90 being released spring 92 returns it, and through linlr 93, the arm 09 to normal position. During this return movement dog I0 yields to the right about its pivot to permit arm 09 to pass by it. It is noted that while the handle 31 (Figs. 1 and 16) is at the inner or lower side of the housing extension 12 (Figs. 17 and 18) the handle 90 is at the outer or upper side thereof.

Fig. 19 shows another modification wherein a housing extension or grip 90 has a handle or lever 91 pivoted to it at 90 and constantly urged toward a normal position by a spring 99. A lever I00 is pivoted in the housing extension as at Hit and embodies two arms illil connected together as by a strap I 09 and a block I00 the latter having a curved surface I 09. The forward end portions I00 of the arms 102 enter the notches 09 in the head 23 oi, the driver. An arm or lever I01? is pivoted intermediate its ends at I08 and has forward end portions i09 adapted on proper movement of the arm to enter the notches I in the edges of the staple straightening slide I9 to manipulate said plate in the manner and for the purpose already described. A spring IIO serves to return arm iil'l to its normal position when moved therefrom. The driving mechanism in the upright or forward portion II is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 16.

Pivotally mounted on the handle 91 at III is a dog H2 yieldingly held in place with its tail portion H3 against the stop pin H5. A spring H4 tends to maintain the dog in its normal position. Pivotally mounted in the upper portion of the housing extension 90 is a pawl I I6 yieldingly held in the normal position shown by means of a spring iii. A post H8 carried by the housing extension projects between the arms I02 of the lever I00 and a stout coil spring H9 is disposed about this post and bears on the upper edges of the lever arms I02 and it will therefore be clear that on the lever being swung upwardly about its pivot l0I it will cause the spring H9 to be compressed.

To drive a staple with the structure of Fig. 19 handle 97 is pressed inwardly or upwardly toward the lever I00 and the dog H2 engaging the block I04 lever I00 is swung about its pivot IOI compressing spring H9 and drawing the driver 2! upwardly in the raceway. When the lever reaches a cooked or fully raised position the portion I20 of pawl H5 engages under the strap I03 andlatches the lever in cocked position. The dog I I2 then slips past the block I04 as movement of the handle continues and thereafter a bump or projection I2I on the handle comes into engagement with the portion I22 of arm I01 forcing 5 such arm about its pivot to have its portions I09 enter the notches ii of slide I9 to slide said slide downwardly to straighten a staple in the raceway. As the slide I9 reaches its appointed position dog H2 engages the portion I23 of pawl H5 rocking such pawl to release its portion I20 from the strap I03. Spring H9 then shifts lever I00 to impart a driving stroke to the driver 2|, and on release of the handle spring 99 returns the handle to normal position and spring H0 returns arm I01 and through it the slide ill to normal position. During this return movement of handle 91 dog I I2 may swing to the right about its pivot to permit its free end to pass by the block I04.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention. what I claim is:

1. In a staple driving machine, a housing including an elongated portion at one end thereof forming a reduced portion adapted to be inserted through an opening or the like. means defining a raceway within and extending longitudinally of said housing portion and opening through an end thereof, a guide for preformed substantially U-shaped staples extending longitudinally ofthe raceway and laterally to one side thereof and feeding the staples with their legs extending transversely of the raceway, means for transferring individual staples from the guide to said raceway and positioning them therein with their legs extending longitudinally of the raceway, a driver operable to drive staples through said raceway, and means to operate said driver and transfer means in certain timed relation to each other.

2. In a staple driving machine, an elongated housing, means defining a raceway extending longitudinally oi. said housing, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the housing, means for feeding a strip of staples along the guide with the legs of the staples transverse of the housing. means operable to transfer the forward staple of the strip to the raceway, means to engage the legs of thisstaple to position the legs longitudinally of the raceway, and means to thereafter drive said staple through the raceway.

3. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a forward wall, means defining a raceway immediately at the inner side of said wall, means for feeding staples in a direction longitudinally of said raceway and with their legs transversely thereof, means for transferring the staples one at a time from said feeding means to the raceway, means engaging the legs of the individual staples to turn the staples and place them in the racestaples through the raceway.

4. In a staple driving machine, means defining a raceway, a driver movable in the raceway to way with their legs extending longitudinally thereof, and means for driving the individual legs of the staple to turn it to bring the legs to extend longitudinally of the raceway under the driver, and means for operating the driver to drive the staple.

5. In a staple driving machine, a housing including an elongated reduced portion adapted to be inserted through an opening or the like and having a forward wall, means defining a raceway immediately at the inner side of said wall and extending longitudinally of said portion, a fiat bill-like extension on the end of said portion having an-outlet atits free end and defining a continuation of said raceway, a guide for substantially U-shaped staples, a transfer block shiftable to carry individual staples from the guide to the raceway, means operable to drive a staple through said raceway to the outlet, and means to operate 7 the drive means and the transfer block in certain timed relation.

6. In a staple driving machine, an elongated housing, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the housing, means for feeding staples along the guide with the legs of the staples extending transversely of the housing, a raceway extending longitudinally of the housing, means operable to remove the forward staple from a strip on the guide and shift the staple to dispose its crown in the raceway, means thereafter operable to rock the staple to dispose its legs within and extending longitudinally of the raceway, and means for then driving the staple through the raceway.

7. In a staple driving machine, an elongated housing', a staple guide extending longitudinally of the housing, means for feeding staples along the guide with the legs of the staples extending transversely of the housing, a raceway extending longitudinally of the housing, means operable to separate the foremost staple from a strip on the guide, means thereafter operable to dispose the staple entirely within the raceway and with its legs extending longitudinally of the raceway, and means then operable to drive the staple through the raceway.

8. In a staple driving machine, a housing, means defining a raceway in the housing, means for feeding staples toward said raceway with the legs of the staples extending transverse with respect to the raceway, means operable to engage the legs of the foremost of said staples to turn it and dispose it in the raceway with its legs extendinglongitudinally of the raceway, and means thereafter operable to drive the staple through the raceway.

9. In a staple driving machine, an elongated housing, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the housing, means for feeding staples along the guide with the legs of the staples extending transversely of the housing, a raceway extending longitudinallyoi the housing, a block slidable transversely of the raceway, means operable to slide said block and have it remove the foremost staple from the guide and shift the staple to dispose its crown in the raceway, means thereafter operable to rock the staple to bring its legs within and extending longitudinally of the raceway in a. position straddling a portion of said block and to then slide the block back out of the raceway to a normal position, and means then operable to drive the staple throughthe raceway.

10. In a staple driving machine, an elongated housing, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the housing, means for feeding staples along the guide with the legs of the staplesextending transversely of the housing, a raceway extending longitudinally of the housing, a block slidable transversely of the raceway, a spring operable to slide said block and have it separate the foremost staple from the guide and carry the staple to dispose its crown in the raceway, means thereafter operable to shift the stapl'to bring. its legs. within and extending longitudinally of the raceway, and means then operable todrive the staple through the raceway. i

11. In a staple driving'machine, a housing having a staple raceway, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the raceway, means for feeding staples along the guide with thelegs vof the sta-- ples extending transversely of the raceway, 'a

block slidable transversely, of the raceway, means operable to slide said block arid have it remove the foremost staple from the guide andshift the staple to dispose its crown in the raceway. a slide slidable longitudinally of the raceway and operable to engage and rock the shifted staple to bring its legs within and extending longitudinal- -ly of the raceway, and means then operable to and shift the staple to dispose its crown in the raceway, a slide slidable longitudinally of the raceway and operable to engage and rockv the shifted staple to bring its legs within and extending longitudinally of the raceway, a driver operable to drive a staple through the raceway, a shiftable lever, and means operable by a continuous movement of said lever to slide said slide and thereafter cause operation of said driver.

,13. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a staple raceway, means for feeding a strip of staples in a direction longitudinally of the raceway with the legs of the staples of the strip extending transversely of the raceway, means for. separating the foremost staple from the strip and placing its bridge in the raceway, a slide-thereafter operable to straighten the staple in the raceway with the staple legs extending longitudinally of the raceway and with said slide forming a portion of one wall of the raceway.

and a driver thereafter operable to drive the staple through the raceway.

14. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a staple raceway, means for feeding a strip of staples longitudinally of the raceway with the legs of the staples of the strip extending transversely of the raceway, means for separating the foremost staple from the strip and disposing its bridge in the raceway, a slide thereafter operable to straighten the staple in the raceway with the staple legs extending longitudinally of the raceway and with said slide forming a portion of one wall of the raceway, a driver thereafter operable to drive the staple through the raceway, a lever, and means whereby the slide and driver are operated successively in the order named on movement of said lever in one direction.

15. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a staple raceway, means for feeding a strip of staples longitudinally of the raceway with the legs of the staples of the strip extending transversely of the raceway, means for separating the foremost staple from the strip and disposing its bridge in the raceway, a slide thereafter operable to straighten the staple in the raceway with the staple legs extending longitudinally of the raceway and with said slide forming a portion of one wall of the raceway, a driver thereafter operable to drive the staple through the raceway, a spring for operating said driver on its driving stroke, a handle, and means whereby during movement of said handle in one direction it successively compresses the spring while withdrawing the driver from the raceway, shifts said slide to straighten the staple in the raceway and then releases the spring to operate the driver.

16. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a raceway extending longitudinally thereof, means for feeding staples to said raceway with their legs extending transversely thereof, a slide shiftable to straighten a staple in the raceway and thereafter forming a wall of the raceway, a driver for driving staples through the raceway, a pivoted lever including an arm engaging said driver to move the same as the lever is moved about its pivot, a spring adapted to move said lever and thereby impart a driving stroke to the driver, a pivoted handle including an arm positioned to move said lever to compress said spring as the handle is moved in one direction, means to latch said lever in position with the spring compressed, a second arm on said handle and operable on further movement of the handle to shift said slide to straighten the staple in the raceway, and the first mentioned arm of the handle thereafter adapted on further movement of the handle in the same direction to trip said latch means whereby to permit the spring to impart a driving stroke to the driver.

17. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a raceway therein, means for feeding staples to said raceway with their legs out of alignment therewith, a slide shiftable to straighten a staple in the raceway and thereafter forming a wall of the raceway, a driver for driving staples through the raceway. a pivoted lever including an arm engaging said driver to move the same as the lever is moved about its pivot, a spring adapted to move said lever in one direction to impart a driving stroke thereto, a pivoted handle operable to move the lever to compress the spring as the handle is moved in one direction, means tb latch the lever in position with the spring compressed, means operable by the handle on its further aoaacaa movement to shift the slide to straighten a staple in the raceway, and said handle on further movement adapted to release said latch means to permit the spring to impart a driving stroke to the driver.

18. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a raceway therein, means for feeding staples to said raceway with their legs out of alignment therewith, a slide shiftable to straighten a staple in the raceway, a driver for driving staples through the raceway, a pivoted lever including an arm engaging said driver to move the same as the lever is moved about its pivot, a spring adapted to move said lever in one direction to impart a driving stroke thereto, a pivoted handle, an arm pivoted intermediate its ends, a link connecting said handle and arm whereby movement of the handle is imparted to the arm, said arm including an end portion operable to shift the lever to compress the spring as the handle is moved in one direction, means to latch the lever in position with the spring compressed, said arm having its other end portion arranged to shift said slide to straighten a staple in the raceway on further movement of the handle, and said arm on further movement of the handle adapted to release the latch means to permit the spring to impart a driving stroke to the driver.

19. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a raceway therein, means for feeding staples to said raceway with their legs out of alignment therewith, a slide shiftable to straighten a staple in the raceway, a driver for driving staples through the raceway, a pivoted lever including an arm engaging said driver to move the same as the lever is moved, a spring adapted to move said lever in one direction to impart a driving stroke to the driver, a pivoted handle, a dog on said handle and engaging the lever whereby on movement of the handle in one direction the lever is moved to compress the spring, means to latch the lever in position with the spring compressed, a pivoted arm, means on the handle to engage said arm on further movement of the handle after the lever is latched in position with the spring compressed to rock the arm and through it shift the slide to straighten a staple in the raceway, and said dog thereafter operable on further movement of the handle to trip the latch means whereby to permit the spring to impart a driving stroke to the driver.

20. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a staple raceway, a guide for staples extending longitudinally of the raceway, a spring operated driver in the raceway and normally in its advanced position, means for feeding staples along the guide with their legs extending transversely of the raceway, a transfer device for carrying the foremost staple from the guide to the raceway, a slide for turning the staple to dispose its legs longitudinally of the raceway, operating means, means connecting the operating means with the driver to retract the driver on initial movement of the operating means and permit the transfer means to carry a staple to the raceway, a catch to retain the driver in retracted position, means operated by the operating means to then shift the slide to turn the staple, and means to release said catch by further move' ment of the operating means to permit driving movement of the driver.

21. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a staple raceway, a spring operated staple driver in the raceway and normally in its advanced position, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the raceway, means for feeding staples along said guide with their legs extending transversely of the raceway, transfer means for carrying the foremost staple from the guide to the raceway, a slide for turning the staple to place its legs longitudinally of the raceway; and operating means including means to first retract the driver to permit the transfer means to carry a staple to the raceway under the plunger, means to shift the slide to turn the staple and retract the transfer, and means to then release the driver to permit its spring to force it forwardly to drive the staple.

22. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a staple raceway, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the raceway and supporting the staples with their legs extending transversely of the raceway, means to transfer the forward staple on the guide laterally to the raceway in the plane of the staple, means to turn the staple to bring its legs within and extending longitudinally of the raceway, and means operable to drive the turned staple through the raceway.

23. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a staple raceway, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the raceway and arranged to hold staples with their legs extending trans-' versely of the raceway, means for transferring the first staple in the guide to the raceway, a slide for turning the staple to position its legs longitudinally of the raceway, a staple driver movable in the raceway, and means for operating the transfer means, the slide and the driver in certain timed relation.

24. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a staple raceway, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the raceway and arranged to guide the staples with their legs extending transversely of the raceway, a transfer block located at the discharge end of said guide, means toshift the block to carry the foremost staple to the raceway, a slide for turning the staple to position its legs longitudinally oi the raceway, co-

operating cam means on the slide and block to retract the block from the raceway, a staple driver movable in the raceway, means for oper ating the slide. and means for operating the driver.

25. In a staple driving machine, a housinghavinga staple raceway, a staple guide extending longitudinally of the raceway and arranged to guide the staples with their legs extending transversely o! the raceway, a transfer block located at the discharge end oi. the guide and provided with a recess to receive the cross bar of the fore-' most staple in the guide, means to shift the block to carry said foremost staple to the raceway,a.

slide .to turn the staple to position its legs longitudinally of the raceway, cooperating cam means on the slide and the block to'retract the block from the raceway,-a staple driver in the raceway;

and means to operate the slide and the driver in certain timed relation. v

26. In a staple driving machine. a housing having a staple raceway, a staple guide extending longitudinally oi the raceway and holdingv the staples with their legs extending transversely of the raceway, a transfer means for shifting the foremost staple on the guide to the raceway, means for turning the staple to position its legs longitudinally oi the raceway, cooperating mcans between the staple turning means and the trans fer means to retract the transfer means. from the raceway, a staple driver in the racewayt'and operating means for the turning means and the driver.

ROY E. PETERSON. 

